All Day Sunday

OMEROS

BY DEREK WALCOTT

DIRECTED BY KWAME OWUSU AND EMILY ABOUD.

10 May 2026

Overview

In the place you have come from, what do they call you?

Derek Walcott observes Achille, Philoctete and Hector. Three Caribbean fishermen in modern-day Saint Lucia who cross paths with soldiers and lovers, soothsayers and shopkeepers as they pursue their destinies. Soon, Walcott dives into the mysteries of these islanders, in a globe-spanning, time-jumping exploration of identity, love, loss, and history.

Join us for our latest epic journey – we began with The Odyssey and The Mahabharata before charging on with Ulysses and Beowulf. Now, an exceptional cast comes together for the first time to bring Nobel Laureate Derek Walcott’s groundbreaking poem, Omeros, to life for a truly unforgettable day. Carne Deputy Director Kwame Owusu (Mustapha Matura Award Winner for Dreaming and Drowning, Bush Theatre) and Emily Aboud (Evening Standard Future Theatre Award Winner) direct.

PART 1: 11.00am: Welcome to St Lucia: The Helen of the West Indies

We meet the inhabitants of Gros Îlet, a small fishing village in St. Lucia. Achille and Hector vie for Helen’s affection, trying to succeed on an ever-changing island as tourism replaces the economy. Philoctete seeks a cure for his pain. Major Plunkett and Maud Plunkett remember their past and confront their present. Running time: Three hours & 10 minutes (incl INTERVAL 12.30-12.45pm).

LUNCH: 2.15pm -3.15pm

PART 2: 3.20pm: An Odyssey around the World

The characters embark on quests through space and time. Achille journeys to Congo, in the midst by the slave trade. Helen grieves his disappearance. Derek Walcott confronts the tragedy and continued effects of colonialism in a journey around the world, exploring ancient and recent histories. Running time: Three hours (incl INTERVAL 4.50pm-5.05pm).

DINNER: 6.25pm - 7.25pm

PART 3: 7.30pm: Homecoming

Walcott returns to St. Lucia. He finds the characters he discovered in Part 1, as they reach the conclusions of their quests. In this final Part, we go on a final rollercoaster through the island, the sea, and even the underworld, in an epic exploration of mortality, love, joy and his own Caribbean identity as an observer and artist. Running time Two hours & 45 minutes (incl INTERVAL 8.50pm – 9.05pm).

People

Ronkẹ Adékọluẹ́jọ́
Performer

Ronkẹ has performed at the Young Vic, Royal Court Theatre, National Theatre, Shakespeare’s Globe and more, earning high praise for her standout stage and screen performances.

Fisayo Akinade
Performer

Fisayo has extensive credits across Film, TV and Theatre. He can be seen in Kate Winslet’s Goodbye June and will next be at the RSC in As You Like It

Gabrielle Brooks
Performer

Gabrielle is currently working on her debut short film, Split Ends, which she is writing and producing. Gabrielle is an Olivier-nominated performer, who has worked across television and stage. Highlights include Get Up Stand Up, J'ouvert and series 1 of Shadow And Bone for Netflix.

Danny Bailey
Performer

Danny’s theatre credits include The Harder They Come (Stratford East), Girl from the North Country, Get Up, Stand Up! (West End); The Big Life (Stratford East); A Strange Loop, Jesus Christ Superstar (Barbican). His TV credits include: Mr Loverman (BBC).

Terique Jarrett
Performer

Terique is currently in Choir Boy at Theatre Royal Stratford East. He has worked across theatre, television and film with Almeida Theatre, Disney, Hulu and Film4. He recently appeared in Juniper Blood at the Donmar Warehouse.

Paterson Joseph
Performer

Paterson trained at LAMDA. He’s worked extensively on screen, television and in the theatre. He is currently filming Tomb Raider for Amazon alongside Sophie Turner, and has recently wrapped on the feature film The Roots Manoeuvre starring opposite Toni Collete and Jessica Henwick. He played the iconic role of Arthur Slugworth in Wonka alongside Timothée Chalamet and starred in the TV series Boat Story and Vigil (BBC).

Tonderai Munyevu
Performer

Tonderai is an experienced stage actor and theatre-maker, best known for writing and performing the award-winning autobiographical play Mugabe, My Dad & Me which opened Brixton House Theatre

Cyril Nri
Performer

Cyril is a BAFTA-nominated British stage and screen actor. He is best known for playing Superintendent Adam Okaro in the police TV series The Bill. Cyril plays the role of Lord Danbury in the Netflix series Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story.

Derek Walcott
Writer

Kwame Owusu and Emily Aboud
Director

Media

“He did as much or more than anyone to win the global respect for Caribbean writing that it deserves and now enjoys”

former poet laureate Andrew Motion on Derek Walcott

“A mighty poet”

The New Yorker on Derek Walcott

“A great epic writer of the world, who turned his local place into the scene of classical epic rewritten”

critic and biographer Hermione Lee on Derek Walcott

Tickets

10 May 2026

Whole Day Ticket £80

A Single Part (1, 2 or 3 only) £35

Content Warnings

References to racism, violence, death